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[The poet] must write as the interpreter of nature and the legislator of mankind, and consider himself as presiding over the thoughts and manners of future generations, as a being superior to time and place.

Samuel Johnson

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Samuel Johnson
Age: 75 †
Born: 1709
Born: September 18
Died: 1784
Died: December 13
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Since every man is obliged to promote happiness and virtue, he should be careful not to mislead unwary minds, by appearing to set too high a value upon things by which no real excellence is conferred.
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When once the forms of civility are violated, there remains little hope of return to kindness or decency.
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As pride sometimes is hid under humility, idleness if often covered by turbulence and hurry.
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Pain is less subject than pleasure to careless expression.
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Political liberty is only good insofar as it produces private liberty.
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Luxury, so far as it reaches the people, will do good to the race of people it will strengthen and multiply them. Sir, no nation was ever hurt by luxury for, as I said before it can reach but a very few.
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No degree of knowledge attainable by man is able to set him above the want of hourly assistance.
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So different are the colors of life, as we look forward to the future, or backward to the past and so different the opinions and sentiments which this contrariety of appearance naturally produces, that the conversation of the old and young ends generally with contempt or pity on either side.
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The seeds of knowledge may be planted in solitude, but must be cultivated in public.
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Applause abates diligence.
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The purpose of a writer is to be read, and the criticism which would destroy the power of pleasing must be blown aside
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Riches, perhaps, do not so often produce crimes as incite accusers.
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No man can taste the fruits of autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of spring.
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As he that lives longest lives but a little while, every man may be certain that he has no time to waste. The duties of life are commensurate to its duration and every day brings its task, which, if neglected, is doubled on the morrow.
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Hunger is never delicate they who are seldom gorged to the full with praise may be safely fed with gross compliments, for the appetite must be satisfied before it is disgusted.
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I am a hardened and shameless tea drinker, who has, for twenty years, diluted his meals with only the infusion of this fascinating plant whose kettle has scarcely time to cool who with tea amuses the evening, with tea solaces the midnight, and, with tea, welcomes the morning.
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Poetry cannot be translation
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Whatever enlarges hope will also exalt courage.
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He that fails in his endeavors after wealth or power will not long retain either honesty or courage.
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The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.
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